My favorite is the world-expert on risk (he wrote the book on risk), Peter Bernstein. "The next step in this crisis is hard to predict, Bernstein says, because the crisis is so unusual. 'Nothing like this has ever happened before,' he continues, 'There have been credit crunches and housing crises and dollar crises, but having all the chickens coming home to roost at the same time and interacting with one another is unique. We have historical perspective on the parts, but not the whole, and that makes things both interesting and scary.' Bernstein also recommends holding some gold as a hedge against a collapse in the value of the dollar if China or other nations decide that they no longer want to invest as much in US Treasuries. 'In a total disaster, where there is a run from paper currency, you'll get your biggest bang for your buck in gold,' he says. You don't have to buy much gold to have an effective hedge, he adds, noting that 'if everything hits the fan, gold should be worth several thousands dollars an ounce.' Above all, don't let your defensive attitude waver, Bernstein counsels."